The Debrief: City go top & Chelsea sack Rosenior

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1:46Alistair Bruce-Ball:Hello and welcome to the debrief on the Football Daily with myself, Alistair Bruce Ball in the The company of Clinton Morrison, Curtis Davis, Nader Manua and Tim Krull. More on Liam Rossini's departure from Chelsea to come. But first, Manchester City have gone top of the Premier League following a 1-0 win at Burnley, who are relegated to the championship. So, Arsenal had been top for 209 days this season. But a Manchester City team with a track record of absolutely fantastic form in April are back where it matters as the season enters the final stretch. Five games to go for the top two. And watching Manchester City at Burnley have been Clinton Morrison and Lee Blakeman.

2:27Alistair Bruce-Ball:And Manchester City have been top for just six days this season coming into tonight. And many, Ali, thought it would be routine in them getting back there with a comfortable win here at Turf Moor. However, that was far from the case. Harlan put them ahead after five minutes with a tidy finish on the end of a doku assist. And from that point, it looked like it would be a formality, but not to be. Burnley went down tonight and they went down fighting. Frustrating City going forwards and creating chances of their own, but without seriously testing Donnarumma apart from in the first two minutes. Burnley therefore are relegated with four games to go.

3:02Alistair Bruce-Ball:Manchester City top with a month to go. The big question now is, can they stay there? So, Clinton Morrison, first and foremost, let's just talk about the game and the Manchester City performance. I think you said during the second half, finishing practice required, but they've got over the line. Yeah, and that's what it's all about. They just looked a bit tired and it's hard, isn't it, when you're playing against a team that just wants to defend their box like Burnley wanted to. But when you're playing against a top team like Man City, I thought that's what Burnley, they've done it well. And they were looking to play on a counter-attack and maybe score from set pieces.

3:31Man City dominated and in theory, chances in the first half, the Bravica made a couple of outstanding saves. If they go in two or three no up, it could have been four or five. So if they got that second goal, it could have been three or four. But it's all about getting the three points. The goal difference will take care of itself in the last five games. But this was about getting the three points after a hard game on the weekend against Arsenal.

3:52Alistair Bruce-Ball:Ned, and what about the psychology of it? So Arsenal have been top for so, so long. I think, you know, we're looking sort of back to early October here, over 200 days. Does that matter? Do you know what? You mentioned earlier in the game, if you were an Arsenal player, would you tune in? I think not many would have expected Burnley to get a result today. But if you're an Arsenal player or fan, I think you'll take a 1-0 loss for Burnley there. Because I think Arsenal play Burnley in a few weeks, perhaps, and they will probably not be as wasteful with the chances that City were, especially with so much that's on the line.

4:34And to add context to it, I think there was a talk that if City have been top for six days this season, it's likely to not go beyond this weekend because Arsenal have a league game where City are in the FA Cup so then before you know it we're back in the same situation again where City are chasing Arsenal, provided Arsenal get points on the weekend against Newcastle so yeah I don't think psychologically it matters that much because the two sides because they've played each other now there's no longer this talk about oh the game in April, the game in April it's that the Etihad is going to be a decider you've got your five games, they've got their five games if you do well enough and you win your games in a considerable manner but the league title could still very much be Arsenal's so they have to back themselves and the fact that as I say this game against a side getting relegated in Burnley only finished 1-0 to City after they had 28 shots on goal and so many big chances maybe this is the boost that they need to sort of go into this next spell now and try and turn their form around

5:26Alistair Bruce-Ball:Let's do the running thing then Tim Krull you've probably got the games in front of you but for the benefit of the listeners I'll read them out so Manchester City's remaining games and Nedham is absolutely spot on because it is going to change again because Arsenal actually play twice now before Manchester City play again in the league because Manchester City have got the cup semi-final coming up on Saturday. So, Tim, Manchester City in the league have Everton away, Brentford home, Bournemouth away, Palace home and they finish with Villa home. Arsenal have got Newcastle at home on Saturday, then Fulham home.

6:01Alistair Bruce-Ball:Now, obviously, a couple of Atletico Madrid games to come in the Champions League semi-final as well. That's got to be taken into consideration. West Ham away, Burnley home, that's the game that Ned have mentioned, and they finish away to Palace. Out of those two run-ins, which would you prefer? I just keep backing City, if I'm honest, even though I think when you call it out like that, the Arsenal fit just looking a little bit more favourable. But Man City at home, I've been on the receiving end of a lot of beatings at the Etihad. Welcome, man. Welcome, my friend. And, yeah, we're in Manchester at the moment.

6:35But, yeah, not great memories at that place. but they are capable of turning teams over 4, 5, 6. Look at them tonight, they should have scored 4, 5, 6. I just don't see Arsenal this season doing that to teams. Yes, they've been very pragmatic and hard to beat and a great record at home, but they haven't really turned too many teams over, I don't think. So I think, just from a ranking standpoint, I think City's running is more difficult. however Arsenal have two games against that Let's go Madrid and one thing about that is say being away in that first leg that proves to be a tough game and you don't really know how that game's going to go what the scoreline's going to be and what the sort of comfort level is going into the second leg but before that second leg there'll be a league game and I think as well the fact that obviously Burnley are down but two of those last three games against say West Ham who could be fighting for their life at this point and Palace and Palace would be interesting because they could be getting ready for the final of the Conference League Arsenal has only won one game in the last five Listen, I'll hold my hands up here I am a Spurs truth and I think they'll stay up even though I've not seen them win a game in 2026 So ultimately some of these That's a real found out I cannot help myself, I'm like obsessed with it, so I know where you're coming from, but they are a very good side, you know, and if they can find that spark now, then I think it literally could be going out to goal defence on the last day in my opinion

8:01Alistair Bruce-Ball:Curtis Davies, what do you think we'll now see so Arsenal finally they've lost the lead that's sort of gone in a way I know they're level on points and it's only goal scored between them do you think that might free them up a little to be the chaser rather than the chased a little bit but I think there is the elephant in the room that you have been top pretty much all season and ultimately Arsenal's in terms of in the media and stuff like that it's their fans that make it difficult for them because you know because their fans start talking about we're going to win the quadruple and then oh no we'll still do the triple oh we'll do the double I don't think that helps so I think when they haven't won something for so long they would be happy with anything but having led the Premier League so long they could still win the Champions League as well by the way we're forgetting that because of what's happened in recent weeks but that's going to be a key factor for me is even if those Atletico games are difficult there's still the mindset of if you get through those and you get to a final you know players are still going to be yes we want to win the league but there's still an element of Champions League at the end.

9:05And yeah, whether or not it gives them the lift because everybody's fighting for their place in that starting line-up for the Champions League or whether you maybe protect yourself a little bit or even Mikel Arteta has one eye on that game, that would be interesting to see come the end of the season.

9:18Alistair Bruce-Ball:How important do you think a seventh title in nine seasons will be to him as well, having been behind? Because you know what? I was scribbling down sort of legacy here. And if you look at the great teams, So Manchester City obviously are already considered one of those. But Liverpool, that great Liverpool team, sort of 70s and the 80s, did 7-9, 1976 to 1984. Manchester United did it, 1993 to 2001. City could do that as well. I think if they were to get to 7-9, like Tim made a noise and then Asdeid died. That's obscene when you say it in that way, especially given the nature of some of those, say, titles where they've had to almost finish on like 98 points or 94 points.

10:00going through the title races against Liverpool in the past where both sides know in the second half of the season you have to be perfect. And it's not necessarily going to be the case this season because we were talking earlier, I think Kurt's made the point that if the season finishes perfectly for both sides, 85 points to win a league, which is probably going to be one of the lower tallies that City have had throughout that time to win it, should they do it. But I think his legacy, in my opinion, is probably cemented already. I think the significance that he's had in the last 10 years, And if you want to, for me anyway, look back at how significant it's been, we can all go back and look at how people were talking about him coming to the Premier League saying, oh, this ticky-tack of football is not going to work.

10:39You know, this is the Premier League. We hold it dearly. Many people expecting him to fail. Many people, you know, having their doubts. But even if it ends up being six in nine, that's an outrageous amount at a point where the Premier League has been so competitive.

10:53Alistair Bruce-Ball:OK, I'll tell you what. Let's hear from the man himself, the Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. After the game, the win at Burnley tonight, his team have gone top of the table, ahead of Arsenal on goals scored. He's been speaking to Simon Brotherton. Pep, three points for you tonight, so job done. It looked like quite a tough night, though. At 1-0, you can always be a little bit nervous. Yeah, the last corner. Yeah, completely. We make a really, really good game. Unfortunately, we miss a lot of chances. Yeah, you said miss a lot of chances, but you started very, very strongly. Goal after five minutes, could have had two in the opening five minutes.

11:26Alistair Bruce-Ball:It really gave you the platform to go on tonight. Yeah, we defended better the second half. The first half, the first half, no. The second half, we had less problems. But, yeah, we scored the second and the third and they could not believe the draw. And after that moment, we could be a control more of the game. But the game was really, really well played. Is it almost more satisfying to claim a win tonight after a game like the one you had on Sunday, and the intensity of that, because I imagine that's not easy for players to come back out three days later and play to the same sort of levels. You're right, you're right.

12:06So, of course, it was a so-so demanding game on Sunday, and, of course, it's not easy after three days, but, yeah, it was the Premier League, you had to adjust, so in the past we played a lot of competitions, maybe the final of the Champions League, and a few caps, and we are used to doing it from, not all the games, but all the players, I would say, but most of them. but we compete really well we make a really good game but it's a pity the chances that we had

12:32Alistair Bruce-Ball:The formula sounds quite simple doesn't it? You just have to keep winning find a way to keep winning Now we have the FA Cup and after that we have five games Five cup finals in the Premier League as well? Yeah, absolutely Five games the Premier League, five games only chances is win all the games. Sounds like he's enjoying it to me. That's the Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola. Yes, next up for them, Manchester City is Southampton. FA Cup semi-final on Saturday. Full commentary on sports extra kicks off at 5.15. Manchester City keep repeating top of the table by virtue of goals scored with the 1-0 win at Burnley tonight.

13:13Alistair Bruce-Ball:Now, that means Burnley are relegated to the Championship after just one season back in the Premier League. Second time in a row, they've come up and gone straight back down. What, Curtis Davis, do you think they will have learnt from this particular season? I think the only way they learn is by looking at Sunderland. I don't think they can learn anything internally because it's the same picture. You know, in terms of players they added, they sprinkled a few players onto the squad but didn't really go too heavy with the spending or with all due respect with the higher quality that's going to lift the group.

13:49So the only example you can really take is, as we said, is Sunderland looking at them, that the way they finished their season, I know they won the playoffs, but they had a poor back end to the season. They had a poor playoffs, actually, but ended up winning it somehow. And then you really worried about what would happen with Sunderland when they came up to the Premier League. Then all of a sudden, Xhaka's in the door. This one's in the door. That one's in the door. And you're like, wow, they're going for it. So if they're going to go down, they're going to go down fighting. And then we look where Sunderland are.

14:19We haven't spoken about them since about October. So it's a really, really interesting thing to see. But yeah, I think they will learn more lessons from looking at others and the way others have structured their campaign than their own.

14:34Alistair Bruce-Ball:Yeah, Clinton Morrison's been watching at Turf Moor this evening, 4-5 Live. How do you think Scott Parker will reflect on it, Clinton? I know he's not going to make any decisions or the club are in the immediate aftermath. It's going to hurt a relegation. but in terms of the way the club have gone about it and he's been able to go about it this season? It was always going to be difficult for Burnley and it always is when Burnley come up to the Premier League. It's such a difficult league. It's the best league in the world. There's a big gap, no disrespect to the Championship. There's a massive gap from the Championship to the Premier League.

15:05So when you're recruiting, you have to buy players that know about the division and have got experience and I've said that and Curtis just alluded to it. Sunderland went and got Xhaka and then decided to have good players in and around him. Leeds went, Okafor was a brilliant signing and then they got Calvert-Lewin, Tim mentioned earlier, who can score goals. So I think your recruitment's massive when you come to the Premier League. There's been murmurs from Burnley fans that have not been happy about Scott Parker, but I hope Burnley do stick with Scott Parker because it's so difficult. And I think, as Curtis said, they'll go back down to the Championship, but he'll be one of the favourites to come straight back up and win it.

15:38And I just hope they can stick with him.

15:40Alistair Bruce-Ball:Tim Krull, Kyle Walker has been speaking one of the quotes I see. I came here with a dream to keep this club up. Hopefully we can do the fans proud next season. Whether they keep, you know, whether Scott Parker stays or not, do you expect Burnley to mount a strong challenge again in the Championship next season? It's all going to be about the mindset. I've been in the changing room where you've got players who doubled the wages, tripled the wages, massive bonuses and then having to go back to the Championship, getting your salary cut by 50%. It's a different mindset and the quicker the club can accept that and have that humble mindset of we are championship players.

16:20And I think, talking of experience, I've been in changing rooms where it took too long for the club and the changing room to accept that. And it's the hardest league in the world to get out of. And you need everybody aligned. So for Burnley, again, they need to just reset. They need to get players who are hungry. They've got a point to prove that got them in the promotion in the first place.

16:42Alistair Bruce-Ball:So Burnley relegated along with Wolves. Here's the Burnley boss, Scott Parker, after they were relegated to the Championship. Scott, what a tough night for you and for everyone connected with Burnley. You knew this was coming in all likelihood, but I guess it doesn't make it any easier when it actually arrives. No, it doesn't make it any easier, of course. And I think when the curtain comes down, which it obviously has now, and the ambition and the drive throughout the year was this optimism of obviously trying to stay in the league, and we've just fallen a little bit short now. and I think that's obviously been put there clearly in front of us.

17:19Alistair Bruce-Ball:I think overall, Simon, to be honest with you, the performance tonight probably spoke volumes of us as a group and as a team really because you're right, the inevitable was there and we faced an absolute steam train in Man City and for me, I'm proud of players that represented exactly what we stand for really and we've just fallen a little bit short again tonight really. You're playing against Man City, you're going to have few opportunities In fact, we probably had quite a few, to be fair, and we just fall a little bit short, more clinical in the moments. But overall, a brilliant performance, considering where we are and what we've been through, really.

17:54Alistair Bruce-Ball:And like I said, for that, I'm immensely proud of the team. It's been a relentless season for all of us, really, me included. And that's been a real challenge. Of course, I think my main focus has been throughout this year, and it is to this day, is trying to get the best out of this team per game every week in the toughest league. So as always, we'll sit down and we'll, like I said, reflect, work out where we move forward and we'll go from there.

18:48We'll be right back.

18:50Alistair Bruce-Ball:Settle down, toughness. Cricket on Five Live Sport. Oh, I've lived every ball of this. Listen on BBC Sounds.

19:09Alistair Bruce-Ball:Let's get more on the news that Chelsea have sacked Liam Rossini after less than four months in charge and on the back of losing five consecutive league games without scoring for the first time since 1912. BBC Sports senior football correspondent Sammy Mockbell joins us on Five Live Sport. I have to say, Sammy, I was listening to Five Live and John Southall's updates. I had an eye on the game as well. And right from the start, like first 10, 15 minutes, it actually felt like the kind of performance from Chelsea that sees a manager get sacked. And that's what's happened. Yeah, that's right, Ali.

19:43It was a tipping point, wasn't it? Dreadful performance, but I don't think we can say that that was the only reason, that the performance at the Amex last night is the sole reason. It's been coming. It's not that I have any sympathy with the ownership or the leadership team there at Chelsea, but they wanted to persist with Liam Rossini. They wanted to give him a chance to succeed. But I think it's really quickly unravelled there and it became abundantly clear that, to the want of a better expression, he was just completely out of his depth. I think he lost the players. I think there are other reasons, tactical reasons, why the team haven't performed.

20:30And last night was the culmination of that. And I don't think it was a surprise today that he lost his job.

20:38Alistair Bruce-Ball:In that case, Sammy, do you think it's more on the board then than it is on Liam Rossini in terms of just making the appointment in the first place? I think they've got to absolutely take their fair share of the blame. Because what they have done over these last two appointments, obviously in Maresca and Liam Rosinia, they've affected, okay, look, Maresca had a good season, didn't he, with Leicester, but they've both been project managers. And when you appoint a project manager, you are taking somewhat of a risk, just given that they don't have the kind of experience that you would expect a Chelsea manager to have.

21:18But they put their faith in these guys and for whatever reason, and there are various reasons, it hasn't worked out. Neither have worked out. Although you could argue that Chelsea had a successful season last season qualifying for the Champions League and winning the Club World Cup. But certainly with Liam Resenia, I think it was apparent pretty early on that he just wasn't going to be the man to take the club forward. So absolutely, yeah, the ownership structure there and the leadership group there have to take semblance of blame and responsibility for what's happened today.

21:56Alistair Bruce-Ball:Whenever a big Chelsea story breaks, you always need the wise words of Pat Nevin, the former Chelsea winger, delighted to say he joins us on Five Live Sport this evening as well. So Pat, when you heard that news this afternoon, when you got the call from us? Were you at all surprised? You would have to be a bit simple to be surprised in that situation with all the evidence in front of you. So Sammy talks about the kind of micro stuff, the kind of short-term stuff, and that's fine. You have to look at a macro level. You have to look at a bigger level than this. This is four seasons that the new ownership's been in.